Almost at the 50 game point, so basically 1/3 of the way through the long baseball season.
What teams/players are surprising you so far?
The Dodgers and the Orioles seem to be the biggest surprises to me, can they hang on for another 100+ games?

Obligatory "Bucs are .500!" post. These games against the Reds (we play them 6 times out of the next 9 games) are pretty huge for the Bucs' chances of competing. I expect the Cards to severely regress, and the Reds are the best team in the NL Central. But if the Bucs get lucky over the next few weeks, we'll stay in it. And if we're in it in June and July, we'll probably add a bat by the trade deadline. Keep the dream alive!

 

Originally Posted by Pghfan987

Obligatory "Bucs are .500!" post. These games against the Reds (we play them 6 times out of the next 9 games) are pretty huge for the Bucs' chances of competing. I expect the Cards to severely regress, and the Reds are the best team in the NL Central. But if the Bucs get lucky over the next few weeks, we'll stay in it. And if we're in it in June and July, we'll probably add a bat by the trade deadline. Keep the dream alive!

Should be interesting, Reds can't hit with RISP whatsoever although they've been better over the last week.

He actually was suppose to be the backup, but has played his way into getting the majority of the playing time. Mesoraco was one of the best catching prospects in baseball and the reason they could give up someone like Grandal in the Latos trade. He has been swinging the bat better the last couple weeks and I think it will continue as he gets more at bats. They have a pretty good system going right now so I expect that to continue.

Basically Hanigan is good but Mesoraco is the young guy they need for the future. They will keep with the combo for the rest of this year because it is working out great so far.

WALKOFF!!!


So, I was completely run about Trumbo when I said the Angels should trade him in the offseason. Guys rarely figure out pitch recognition and develop plate discipline at the big league level, but it appears that Trumbo might be a rare exception. Dude is an absolute monster (.333/.388/.592). He has Adam Dunn type power, but he has the ability to hit for a higher average with fewer K's.

 

Originally Posted by gamma21

So, I was completely run about Trumbo when I said the Angels should trade him in the offseason. Guys rarely figure out pitch recognition and develop plate discipline at the big league level, but it appears that Trumbo might be a rare exception. Dude is an absolute monster (.333/.388/.592). He has Adam Dunn type power, but he has the ability to hit for a higher average with fewer K's.

Trumbo is walking significantly more, but his K rate is actually slightly up this season. I'd be surprised if he ended the season with a BA above .300, in spite of him being spotted a 33 point lead.

There was a lot of discussion on the Pirates blog this offseason about swapping Hanrahan for Trumbo. The consensus among the more knowledgable posters there was that Trumbo wasn't worth it because of his lack of plate discpline. He looks pretty good right now. I don't think he has Adam Dunn power, but he could hit for a slightly higher average, in the .270s.

 

Originally Posted by Pghfan987

Obligatory "Bucs are .500!" post. These games against the Reds (we play them 6 times out of the next 9 games) are pretty huge for the Bucs' chances of competing. I expect the Cards to severely regress, and the Reds are the best team in the NL Central. But if the Bucs get lucky over the next few weeks, we'll stay in it. And if we're in it in June and July, we'll probably add a bat by the trade deadline. Keep the dream alive!

I lol'ed. i mean regress? maybe. severely? doubt it. waino getting his stuff back, lynn looks like the real deal, and loshe and garcia will do what they always have. offense will cool off a bit overall, but well also get guys like jay and craig back. i really don't think reds are the fav. ill take our pitching staff every day of the week over theres. There bullpen is better, but I still like ours, and even tho chapman raping, we all know he has had issues in the past. never know when those return, but im not expecting it. I think offenses are a wash, and if somehow the cards don't cool off, then theyre obv better.

Cards aren't gonna be out of it all season. They might not win the central if another big injury or two hits us, but theyre making the playoffs. i do expect pitt to be third and semi in contention all year. I will say tho, the team im most impressed with in the central is the astros. People expected them to break loss records with a team of nobodys this year, and theyre floating close to .500 ball. They got some exciting young players, kinda like 5 years ago when they had bourn and pence hitting their stride. Guess theyre never talked about since theres no astros fans here, but im suprised they aren't talked about with the O's and LAD for suprising starts to the season.

And side note, how the fuck did angels manage to win after weaver gets yanked. hughes staked a 3-0 run and gets the bullpen for 9 innings and manages to lose.

i wonder if the braves are going to win again this season, smh

Rangers pick up Roy Oswalt.

Gee, that seems fair.

Signed,
Mariners' fan.

Pretty good interview with Jed Hoyer and when/if Rizzo will be called up and some dude who walked a goat to Wrigley to break the curse.


http://wpc.31d2.edgecastcdn.net/8031...o/40/63648.mp3

 

Originally Posted by krs33

I don't think this is the way the Phillies saw their year playing out

at first he was like



end of April he was like



now he's like

well the mets were supposed to be the worst team ever created this year. so theyre a bit of an enjoyable surprise.

 

Originally Posted by jetman4109

i wonder if the braves are going to win again this season, smh

Venters, Medlin horrid. Can't score without Chipper. McCann sits out a week with the flu, Freddie doesn't take out his contacts, etc

Meanwhile Sox continue to murk, push Shields shit in and swoop into first pending another terrible start by Masterson.

Hows bout we pick up Youk? Morel can't hit major league pitching although can play the hot corner well.

Eric Chavez: "In three years Mike Trout will be the best player in baseball"

Edit--Right on cue he robs swish of a homerun

 

Originally Posted by dominant00

Eric Chavez: "In three years Mike Trout will be the best player in baseball"

Edit--Right on cue he robs swish of a homerun

Trout > Harper, and anyone who disagrees is insane.